HELLO, PLEASE ANSWER THIS. I AM CONFUSSED ABOUT LYMPH GLAND SYMPTOMS. I READ A RECENT ANSWER FROM YOU THAT HIV SYMPTOMS USUALLY TAKE 5-10 YRS TO APPEAR. DOES THIS INCLUDE THE SWOLLEN GLANDS?

Response from Dr. Feinberg

When we talk about HIV-related problems, this does not include swollen lymph nodes, it includes things like thrush, weight loss, oral hairy leukoplakia, etc. Many many illnesses are accompanied by swollen lymph nodes, which just means that the immune system is activated and trying to fight something. Lymph nodes wax and wane throughout the course of HIV infection, from seroconversion through frank AIDS. It is not a good idea to get hung up on lymph nodes, you will just wind up getting frustrated, because in most cases they are too non-specific to yield any really good clues about what may be going on.

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